Why We Carry Flagstaffs at the Same Level

Nothing magical happens when the staffs are lifted from the marching surface that requires the American flag/color to be carried higher. Let me restate that. We do not carry the American flag higher than others flags except when two physical limitations, not equipment, are met.

The Colors Harness

Sometimes called a “sling”, the colors harness is a mandatory uniform item for a color bearer. If you call it a “sling”, it can be confused with the rifle sling.

At right is a typical colors harness and the only one I recommend. This double harness is available in leather (shown), clarino (a high-gloss synthetic leather), and web material. The socket frame is a leather and metal rectangle and the socket itself is metal with a small hole through the bottom through which the lower ferrule of the colors staff protrudes. The metal of the harness comes in silver and gold colors.

The adjustable limits of the harness frame are just above the crotch to just below and barely touching the belt.

What Our Manuals Say

TC 3-21.5 states in Chapter 15, section IV, para. 15-34. At the Carry, rest the ferrule of the staff in the socket of the sling. The socket is below the waist and adjusted to ensure that the finials of all Colors are of equal height.

MCO 5060.20 states in Chapter 7: para 5. a. Slings are adjusted so that the colors are the same height when at the carry or, if this isn’t possible, the national colors are slightly higher than the organizational colors. If necessary, have the senior color bearer slightly taller than the organizational color bearer.

6. j. All colors carried by the color guard are attached to staffs of equal height. The standard color staff consists of a 9 ½-foot, hardwood pole capped at each end by metal ferrules.

The First Limitation

The first physical limitation requiring the American flag to be carried higher is when the waist level of both bearers is different. Only then is the American flag carried minimally higher.

The Second Limitation

The second physical limitation requiring the American flag to be carried higher is very similar to the first. It is when the height of both bearers is different. Only then is the American flag carried minimally higher.

Examples and Explanations

Some of the images below have much more than one thing wrong, but please take them in the context meant for this article. Focus on colors harness socket height.

Above, is a photo of US and Pilipino Marines. For an international color guard, all national colors must be carried at the same level. There is definitely a problem here with untrained team members. The harness socket frame resting on the crotch is unacceptable.

In this photo, the phrase minimally higher was not understood. The national bearer’s harness should have been lowered a couple notches at least, and the organizational bearer’s socket should have been raised a similar amount.

Here, having a shorter US national bearer can create problems. The command needs to concentrate on bearers that are closer to the same height or at least waist level height.

Not using a colors harness leads to the left hand shifting to the most comfortable position.

The waist levels here are very different as well as bearer height. Notice how well the Marines compensated by adjusting their harnesses.

The Coast Guardsmen here are wearing their harnesses incorrectly, the straps are crossed in front instead of at the back. The harness has much more material hanging down in front and therefore has the socket extremely low.

This shows no concept of equalizing the sockets as no attempt was made. Many people think that the harness socket frames must be equal length below the belt. That’s simply not true.

Barely an attempt at harness adjustment.

Ne real attempt here.

Excellent socket alignment, but terrible technique for furling (probably folding) and casing the colors.

Obviously, they have no idea.

Very close, but the bearers did not have the guards check to make sure the sockets were aligned.

Last Thoughts

1. Military color guards form and march at Close Interval in accordance with Army TC 3-21.5, MCO 5060.20, and AFPAM 34-1203. The Ceremonial units of the US military march shoulder-to-shoulder. Color guards for first responders have a choice of Close Interval or shoulder-to-shoulder marching.
2. Guards must double-check harness socket levels before practices and performances and adjust as necessary.
3. Wed harnesses are almost infinitely adjustable, leather harnesses can be adjusted according to the pre-punched holes for the buckles. It’s highly recommended to purchase a leather hole punch (shown below) to add more holes above, in between, and below the pre-punched holes as necessary.